Birmingham Mail

Licenced to Thrill ; Flexibility and Space of an Mpv, Appearance of a 4x4 and the Comfort of a Family Hatchback Rugged but Drives Smooth

THE newest model from French car maker Peugeot has a cocktail of ingredients that is about to leave motorists looking for something completely different both shaken and stirred. The 3008 Crossover fits loosely into the Peugeot's 308 model lineup but because it is a unique vehicle in its own right it has been given double O status - so is licensed to thrill.

C-Max First of a New Generation

FORD'S C-MAX compact people carrier has been given a kinetic makeover. But even though the new C-MAX has been on public display it won't be launched for another year.

Mint Caddy Up for Gong

AWEST Midlands car lover's immaculate American-built Cadillac has made it to the finals of the Classic American magazine 'Car of the Year' national concours competition which takes place at this year's Classic Motor Show. John Sewell, from Solihull, has a big thing for American cars, and it's a passion that's been with him for five decades.

Fiat Rising to the Co2 Challenge

FIAT has come top of a league of car companies for reducing average CO2 emissions from its models. The Italian car maker is the only manufacturer to have achieved the goal of reducing average emissions to below 130g/ km per vehicle five years ahead of a deadline set by the EU.

Check Euro Speed Limits

MORE than half of British booze cruisers could be driving illegally and will risk much more in fines than they save on acquiring cheaper alcohol. Research conducted by esure car insurance shows that as many as 3 million motorists are unfamiliar with foreign speed limits, including 84 per cent who are unaware that the speed limit on a motorway in France is 130km/h - 80mph.

Getting a Grip On Fuel Consumption

IHEARD all of the instructions but I'm so competitive that some of them got lost in translation. I had to drive as many miles as possible using special Goodyear tyres using as little fuel as possible and I had to get back before a time deadline.

Bmw Announces Prices for S1000 Rr

Mel's Pretty in Pink for Charity Race

SHE looks pretty in pink, and Melanie C is urging all motorsport fans to do likewise by dressing in the colour at the next round of the HiQ British Touring Car Championship. The Spice Girl star has donned the colour in a bid to get everyone else to follow suit at Brands Hatch in Kent on Sunday October 4, to raise money for Breast Cancer Care (www.breastcancercare.

Emma Makes Art Out of Hot Rods

THERE is nothing Rodders like more than admiring their metal. So why not hang yours in the lounge, dining room or garage in the form of a unique piece work of art? Midlands-based artist and Rodder fanatic Emma Ricketts is offering to create a handpainted canvas of fellow enthusiasts' Hot Rods to put on their walls. Working under the name of 13Rats, Emma starts the process by visiting people's homes or garages to take pictures of their pride and joy. Then she will discuss the style, colours an...

Stylish Start to Motoring

EX-Formula One racing driver Johnny Herbert was on hand to pick up the keys to a brand new Alfa MiTo for his 17-year-old daughter Aimelia at the Alfa Romeo Guest Solihull dealership. The former Le Mans winner said: "I helped Aimelia choose the MiTo based on the racing history of Alfa Romeo but also the Italian styling. The graphite grey with red leather interior on her 1.4 16V Lusso model is really eyecatching.

Youtube Tips for Learners

Site Lure for 4x4 Hopefuls

A WEBSITE which shows off the capabilities of 4x4 vehicles has been launched by Nissan. The site, www.which4x4areyou.co.uk, is aimed at owners of regular cars thinking of upgrading to a 4x4.

Accolade for Jaguar Director

PAUL Cope, director of manufacturing for Jaguar Land Rover, has been named the 2009 Automotive News Eurostar for Manufacturing. The annual awards, which recognise excellence in the automotive industry, are regarded as a key benchmark of success and were announced at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Comedy Festival ; for Full Birmingham Comedy Festival Listings and All the Latest News, Interviews and Features, See: Www.Bhamcomfest.Co.Uk

To Saturday Oct 17 EAST IS EAST. Salford 1971: Chip shop owner George Khan is determined to raise his children in the traditional manner. But they have ideas of their own in writer Ayub Khan-Din's warm-hearted and hilarious story of two cultures clashing within one family. Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad St. Tel: 0121 236 4455; pounds 10-pounds 32; Mon-Sat 7.30pm; Sept 29 only, 7pm; matinees Oct 3, 8 & 15, 2pm. www.birmingham-rep.co.uk To Wednesday Oct 28 STEVE LILLY'S COMEDY CLASSICS. Sh...

Unmissable Visit of a Great Survivor

SAXOPHONIST Bobby Wellins, who makes a welcome appearance at Bearwood Corks Club on Thursday, is one of the great survivors of British jazz. Born in Glasgow in 1936, he grew up surrounded by music, with his mother a singer and his father a saxophonist in local big bands. Bobby took up the alto sax at the age of 12 and by the time National Service took him into the Royal Air Force, he was an accomplished jazz musician.

Hawley Is Glass Act ; Ex-Pulp Guitarist Exploring New Sounds: Music by Andy Coleman

LISTEN closely to Richard Hawley's new album and you will hear some weird and wonderful sounds being created by some weird and wonderful instruments. The 42-year-old former Pulp guitarist has used a number of unusual musical contraptions on Truelove's Gutter, his sixth solo album. There is a musical saw, a Cristal Baschet - made up of 54 glass rods - and a glass harmonica which makes a sound similar to rubbing a wet finger around the rim of a crystal glass.

Alicia has the Key to Success

Making Strydes ; 10,000 Revellers Expected to Join Tinchy and a Host of Stars at Digbeth Bash: Clubs

PROUDLY PRESENTS STUDENTS are going to be taking over Digbeth tomorrow when the district plays host to "the mother of all parties" featuring stars including Tinchy Stryder and Birmingham's own Mr Hudson. Other acts at the Block Party event, which will also be open to non students, include Chipmunk, The Wombats, Hadouken and Master Shortie with DJ sets from Scott Mills, the Mystery Jets and beatboxer Killa Kela among others.

Showbiz by Dave Clarke

CHERYL Cole is "obsessed" with Lady Gaga's style. The Girls Aloud beauty has been won over by the singer's eccentric style and outfits. She explained: "If I'm totally honest with you, I never had a style icon. "But Lady Gaga is right now. I think people don't see her as conventionally beautiful but, as a style icon and an artist, I'm slightly obsessed with her." MICHAEL Jackson: The Opus is to go on sale in time for Christmas. It's a massive hi-tech coffee table book, dedicated to his life ...

Animal Magic ; Cartoon Characters Get Starring Role in Graphic Novel by Acclaimed Author

THOSE who believe animal characters could only inhabit children's books such as Rupert Bear and Wind in the Willows should think again. Acclaimed comic writer and artist Bryan Talbot has brought animal characters into world of guntoting gangsters, murder, spies and political conspiracy in his latest graphic novel Grandville.